THE PRESIDENT: I just had a good exchange with my fellow Republicans. We
talked about a lot of issues. I briefed them on my trip to Europe. We
talked about -- they were very interested in the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo.
They were interested in my conversations with Vladimir Putin on missile
defense. We talked about the energy bill. We talked about the
appropriations process, and we talked about immigration.

Some members in there believe that we need to move a comprehensive bill,
some don't, I understand that. This is a highly emotional issue, but those
of us standing here believe now is the time to move a comprehensive bill
that enforces our borders and has good workplace enforcement, that doesn't
grant automatic citizenship, that addresses this problem in a comprehensive
way.

I would hope that the Senate Majority Leader has that same sense of desire
to move the product that I do, or the bill that I do and these senators do,
because now is the time to get it done. It's going to take a lot of hard
work, a lot of effort. We've got to convince the American people that this
bill is the best way to enforce our border. I believe without the bill
that it's going to be harder to enforce the border. The status quo is
unacceptable. I want to thank those senators on both sides of the aisle
who understand the time is now to move a comprehensive piece of
legislation. The White House will stay engaged.